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Copper Alloy M1-H04

Supply condition

H04 = full hard

Fully cold-worked sheet, rod and busbar for load-carrying conductors, commutator segments and machined parts.

High cost $$$$

Values for the H04 condition

Other M1 tempers and conditions

M1 is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at M1.

Compare all 10 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
O60Default
Soft annealed
Default stock condition for sheet, strip, tube and magnet wire when maximum ductility, conductivity and formability are needed.752354545 HB101 % IACS
As hot rolled
Hot-rolled plate and hot-extruded busbar sections supplied without further processing; nearly annealed properties with mill scale.802354048 HB100 % IACS
Eighth hard
Lightly rolled strip when slightly higher stiffness/strength than annealed is wanted but deep forming is still required.1752503060 HB100 % IACS
Quarter hard
Quarter-hard strip/sheet for parts that need moderate springback control with good bendability.2052622570 HB99 % IACS
Half hard
Most common intermediate temper for busbar, gaskets, formed brackets and tube needing strength plus some bendability.2502901485 HB98 % IACS
H04This page
Full hard
Fully cold-worked sheet, rod and busbar for load-carrying conductors, commutator segments and machined parts.3103456100 HB97 % IACS
Hard drawn
Standard hard-drawn condition for overhead line wire, trolley wire and drawn tube where tensile strength and sag resistance are required.3404003105 HB97 % IACS
Extra hard
Heavier reduction than H04 for flat springs, contacts and stampings where flatness under load matters.3453654105 HB97 % IACS
Spring hard
Spring-temper strip for conductive springs, gaskets and EMI contacts where stiffness beats formability.3503804115 HB97 % IACS
Extra spring hard
Maximum cold-worked strip temper; highest strength available in unalloyed copper, essentially non-formable.3653904118 HB97 % IACS

What is M1-H04?

M1-H04 is M1 supplied in the H04 condition — fully cold-worked sheet, rod and busbar for load-carrying conductors, commutator segments and machined parts. M1-H04 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi). M1-H04 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F). O60 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H04 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Conducts heat well — 385 W/m·K (222.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of copper alloy grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 97 % IACS, better than 92% of copper alloy grades

Limitations

  • Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 100% of copper alloy grades
  • Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 89% of copper alloy grades

M1-H04 properties

Typical room-temperature values for M1-H04; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are M1 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.

Physical3

M1-H04 has a density of 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,065°C (1,949 °F).

Density8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,065°C1,949 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,083°C1,981 °F

Mechanical12

M1-H04 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus128 GPa18.6 Msi
Shear Modulus44 GPa6.4 Msi
Bulk Modulus140 GPa20.3 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.34
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)345 MPa50 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)310 MPa45 ksi
Elongation at Break6%
Reduction in Area72%
Shear Strength200 MPa29 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)117 MPa17 ksi
Hardness, Brinell100 HB
Hardness, Vickers110 HV

Thermal6

M1-H04 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 385 W/m·K (222.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity385 W/m·K222 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)120°C248 °F
Min Service Temperature-253°C-423 °F

Electrical3

M1-H04 conducts electricity at 97 % IACS, better than 92% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity97 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.78×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.701 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.25 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood65/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryResistant to atmospheric corrosion (protective patina), fresh and sea water at moderate velocity, non-oxidising acids free of air, and most organic media; attacked by nitric acid, aerated ammonia/amines, cyanides, sulphur compounds and mercury salts; oxygen-bearing ETP copper embrittles in hydrogen-containing atmospheres above ~370 °C.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of M1-H04 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water250 L/kg30 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content35%

Manufacturability8

M1-H04's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability fair (35/100).

MachinabilityPoor32/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)20%
WeldabilityFair40/100
Formability (cold)Fair35/100
CastabilityFair35/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent92/100
PolishabilityVery good80/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — copper is not anodised; protect with lacquer, tin/nickel/silver plating or allow natural patina

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with M1-H04

Is M1 easy to machine?

Gummy and stringy — use sharp positive-rake HSS or polished-flute carbide, high speed, low feed pressure and generous coolant; harder tempers (H04+) cut noticeably cleaner than annealed.

Can M1 be welded?

GTAW/GMAW possible with high preheat (200–500 °C) and helium-rich shielding, but the ~0.03 % oxygen makes ETP copper prone to porosity and hydrogen embrittlement — use phosphorus-deoxidised filler or choose brazing/soldering instead.

Can M1 be formed, bent or molded?

Outstanding cold formability in O60: deep drawing, spinning, roll forming and tight bends (≈0–0.5 t); interanneal at 400–600 °C when total reduction exceeds ~60 %, and expect strong springback in H04 and above.

What surface finishes work on M1?

Not anodisable; typical finishes are bright polish plus clear lacquer, chemical patina/blackening, or electroplated tin, nickel and silver for contacts and busbar joints.

M1 chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Otough-pitch oxygen content; M1r/M1f variants are deoxidised≤ 0.050.03
Bi≤ 0—
Sb≤ 0—
As≤ 0—
Fe≤ 0.01—
Ni≤ 0—
Pb≤ 0.01—
Sn≤ 0—
S≤ 0—
Zn≤ 0—
P≤ 0—
Agcounted within Cu content≤ 0—
CuCu + Ag, per GOST 859-2001 grade M1≥ 99.9 (balance)—

M1-H04 — frequently asked

What is M1-H04 used for?

M1-H04 is typically used for electrical wire, busbars, heat exchangers and general copper hardware. In short: CIS-standard electrolytic copper; 101 % IACS conductivity; poor machinability rating.

What is the yield strength of M1-H04?

M1-H04 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 64% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.

Is M1-H04 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 57% of copper alloy grades). Gummy and stringy — use sharp positive-rake HSS or polished-flute carbide, high speed, low feed pressure and generous coolant; harder tempers (H04+) cut noticeably cleaner than annealed.

Can M1-H04 be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). GTAW/GMAW possible with high preheat (200–500 °C) and helium-rich shielding, but the ~0.03 % oxygen makes ETP copper prone to porosity and hydrogen embrittlement — use phosphorus-deoxidised filler or choose brazing/soldering instead.

What surface finishes work on M1-H04?

Not anodisable; typical finishes are bright polish plus clear lacquer, chemical patina/blackening, or electroplated tin, nickel and silver for contacts and busbar joints.

Can M1-H04 be formed, bent or molded?

Outstanding cold formability in O60: deep drawing, spinning, roll forming and tight bends (≈0–0.5 t); interanneal at 400–600 °C when total reduction exceeds ~60 %, and expect strong springback in H04 and above.

What is the maximum service temperature of M1-H04?

M1-H04 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between M1-O60 and M1-H10?

O60 is the default condition — default stock condition for sheet, strip, tube and magnet wire when maximum ductility, conductivity and formability are needed. H10: maximum cold-worked strip temper; highest strength available in unalloyed copper, essentially non-formable. Yield strength is 75 MPa in O60 versus 365 MPa in H10.

Sources

  1. GOST 859-2001 Copper — Grades (M00, M0, M1, M2, M3) — Interstate Standard / Gosstandart (2001)
  2. ASTM B152/B152M Standard Specification for Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2019)
  3. EN 13601 Copper and copper alloys — Rod, bar and wire for general electrical purposes — CEN (2021)
  4. C11000 Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper alloy datasheet — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
  6. ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (copper and copper alloys) — ASM International (2005)
  7. GB/T 5231 (T2 comparison) — SAC (2022)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.